After years of speculation, construction is officially underway on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

Delegates participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for the new building at Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock on June 6.

The property will include a 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, including 22 suites, an expanded Hard Rock Casino with 1,500 slot machines, an 1,800-seat theatre, as well as more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges.

"We are excited to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich music history to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding region," said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer, Hard Rock International.

Completion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is planned for the spring of 2025. Meanwhile, the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock will remain open during construction.

"After years of delays due to the pandemic, we are extremely excited to be making concrete progress on our plans to bring this amazing facility to life for our guests and employees," said Helen MacMillan, General Manager, Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock.

The $350-million construction project is one of the largest private investment developments currently underway in Ottawa. It is expected to create close to 1,900 direct and indirect construction and ongoing employment opportunities.

Since the gaming site was added in February 2000, the City of Ottawa has received approximately $6 million annually and over $93 million in total payments from the OLG for hosting Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock within the national capital region. This amount is expected to rise once the expanded facility is fully operational. An additional $1 million plus per year is invested in local sponsorships and non-profits.

As part of the ceremony, Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock presented a $20,000 donation to Minwaashin Lodge, a local Indigenous women's shelter.